THIS is the new Mercedes G-Class – ahead of its Detroit reveal

The new 2018 Mercedes G-Class is due to be revealed this month at the Detroit Motor Show, but the first photos of the 2018 G-Class have leaked out already.

Mercedes has been busy teasing the arrival of the 2018 G-Class, and we know it will get a public debut on 15 January in Detroit.

But ahead of that debut – and a chunk sooner then Mercedes planned – we can now see what the new G-Class looks like thanks to leaked photos from Dutch site Auto Week.

Unsurprisingly, the new G-Class looks just like the old G-Class as Mercedes seek to update the legendary G-Wagen with an evolution rather than a revolution, although what’s under the skin of the boxy, upright new G-Class is a lot newer.

A new 2.9 litre diesel and at least one V8 model (there may be a more powerful G63) provide the power, and although the G-Class is still on a ladder chassis it does get aluminium construction to cut weight and a new front suspension.

Those changes should make the new G-Class much better on-road than the current SUV, but Mercedes hasn’t gone the soft-roader route to garner extra sales and the G-Class promises to be even more able off-road with improved departure and ramp angles and increased wading ability.

Inside, as we already know, there’s a rugged-ised version of the interior you’ll find on Mercedes newest cars, although the flashy big screen layout will be reserved for plusher models, with entry-level models getting traditional dials.

Perhaps, with the first photos the the new G-Class now in the wild, Mercedes will choose to give the new G-Wagen an earlier online reveal.